Automatic coupling.



PATENTED APR.14, 1908.

E. DB VLIEGBR. AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 21.1907.

UNITED STATES PATENT oEEioE.

EDOUARD DE VLIEGER, OF BRUSSELS, BELGIUM.

AUTOMATIC COUPLING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 14, 1908.

Application filed June 27, 1907. Serial No. 381,174.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

e it known that I, EDOUARD DE VLIEGER, a subject of the King of theBelresiding at Brussels, in the Kingdom exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to.which itappertains to make and esigned to engage behind a bolt forming the endof the cup.

The improvements have as their particular ob ect to make th lingreversible, to

These improvements are shown in the anneXe drawings, in which Figure lis a view in plan of the reversible position. Fig. 2 is a coupling inthe coupled 1 3 is a side view showing in Fig. detail the hook engagedin the cup. Fig. 4 is a front view of the cup showing the slot and Fig.5 is a transverse section on a smaller scale of the cup, bolt and hookand of the new arrangement for controlling the bolt by a counterweightlever. Fig. side view of the cup with the control lever of the bolt.

The improved coupling consists of:

1s A'coupling B jointed to one of of the coupling bar C, to which it is(ed by a vertical pin It can be dis- (83 yards). At one of-its endsthere is an inclined spout D designed to receive the coupling hook E andto keep it in a position parallel to the road when this hook is left toitself. This spout has an enlarged receivin certain horizontal opening(d) to permit a deviation of the hook and the coupling on At the otherend of the coupling piece is the cup F. proprising a coupling stirrupcorresponding in dimensions with the stirrups of all the interofcoupling with wagons not with the automatic coupling.

2nd. Of the above mentioned ing an inclined plane. This cup to receivethe coupling hook E cup F formis intended of another make coupling withcarriages not provided with the automatic coupling. A longitudinalgroove or slot (7) runs along the whole length of the inclined plane ofthe groove enables the l a movable bolt I. This bolt is provided with anotch (2') into which fits an elbow lever (i) jointed at the upper end.

miles.

e whole arrangement of coupling piece, with cup, hook etc. is duplicatedon each carriage, which insures a double securit and which constitutesthe reversibility of the apparatus.

ncoupling can be effected from either side of the road owing rangement:A double horizontal lever L is situated on a vertical pin rigid with thecup ,one of its extremities is connected to the vertical lever (i) bytwo chain links, (Z) the other end of this small lever is connected to ato the following ar- 52'?- ss4,so1

the said slot, turned over edges to prevent hold L2 projecting to theother side of the the hookirom jerking out,when the carriages carriage.To uncouple, all that is necessary jolt and a coupling hook fix is topull on the lever L by the handle L atthe bar, a horizontal pivot tachedto the small chain, another handle If the said hook permitting the saidhook to being placed at the opposite end of the chain travel in avertical plane and a twiste end so as to afford a man an opportunity topull to the said hook to permit it to travel on the back the lever L toforce in the bolt I. In inclined faces of the coupling cup. the case ofshunting without coupling it is 3. In combination in an automaticreversisuificient to fix this chain to a hook fitted for ble couplinggear a coupling bar adapted to this purpose; the bolt remaining openthere have a horizontal movement, a cou ling cup is no coupling; fixedat one side of the bar, a cou iing hook fixed at the other end of thebar y a horithis also avoids raising the cups.

The cups F and the hooks E'being lowered, zontal pivot so as to allowthe said hook to travel in a vertical plane, and a connecting thecarriages are pushed one against the other,

the hooks E meeting the inclined planes of chain between the pivot frameand the hook. the cups are raised until the moment when, leaving theinclined planes, they fall on the coupling bolts I; at this moment thecoupling is effected. To uncouple, it is suificient after havingloosened the coupling, to raise the counterwei ht lever (i by pushingthe lever rod or to a chain L having a handle or handed at the end offor attachment 0 4. In combination in an automatic revers1- ble couplinggear a coupling bar adapted to have a horizontal movement, a couplingcup fixed at one side of the said bar, a recess made where the end ofthe hook falls down to couple, hollows on either side of the said L orby pul ing the chain L by the handle L recess, to permi the hook to movehorizonoperating the lever, L of the other side, at the tally and acoupling hook fixed by a horizonsame time the bolts I are thussimultanetal pivot at the other end of the bar.

5. In combination in an automatic reversible coupling gear, a couplingbar adapted to have a horizontal movement, a coupling cup fixed at oneside of the said bar, a slot running the whole length of the couplingcup, a coupling bolt fitting across the top art of the slot therein, alever connected to t e said Y bolt, loaded with a counter weight and theen agement of the lever in aslot in the said ously withdrawn and the hooksE fall through the slots (f). When the lever ('L) and the chain arereleased, the bolts I close and the cou ling is ready for use again.

aving now described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent is 1. In combination in an automatic reversible cou linggear, a coupling bar pivoted upon g the en of the traction rod so as toswing in a bolt, so that the lever is shot when the counter horizontalplane, a couplin cup fixed at the weighted lever is down, and drawn backone side of the said bar an a coupling hook when it is lifted, and acoupling hook upon hori- .the other end of the bar.

fixed at the other end of the bar by a zontal pivot so as to allow thesaid hook to In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

travel in a vertical plane.

EDOUARD DE VLIEGER.

2. In combination in an automatic reversi- IVitnesses:

A. GRAETZ,

ble cou ling gear, a coupling bar adapted to GREGORY PHELAN.

have a orizontal movement, a couplin cup fixed at one side of the saidbar, a centra l slot in the said cup, fixed inclines on either side of

